Jan. 19, 2018
Lewisville ISD Students, Parents and Community Members,
In a recent report, the U.S. Department of Education found the Texas Education Agency (TEA) put requirements in place that led Texas schools to violate federal laws requiring schools to serve all students with disabilities. Simply put, TEA in 2004 began monitoring the percentage of special education students in school districts, and penalized districts with a special education enrollment of greater than 8.5 percent.
I want to be crystal clear on LISD’s practice regarding students served by our special education team. The number of students receiving those services in LISD has always exceeded the number established by the state. Frankly speaking, we never paid attention to the cap put in place by the state, and the district’s ratings suffered because we took a stand for the students who needed special education services.
Our concern is and has always been serving each and every student who walks through our doors. We provide outstanding opportunities to all of our nearly 53,000 students, and we will continue to do so.
Governor Greg Abbott claims a “dereliction of duty on the part of many school districts to serve our students,” which is an assertion I take great issue with. I invite Gov. Abbott to visit our schools and see the way not only our special education staff members serve our students, but also the way the entire campus supports all of our learners. While we respect the governor, he is misguided and misinformed regarding the work being done by public schools across our state to serve special education students.
I hope Gov. Abbott and TEA Commissioner of Education Mike Morath, who was appointed by Gov. Abbott, will support our public schools in unraveling the mess TEA created with requirements that agency put in place. In the meantime, we will keep doing what we do best – ensuring all our students thrive in a future they create.
Kevin Rogers, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Lewisville Independent School District
Attention Seniors –
Time is getting close for applying for the Marcus PTSA Senior Scholarships. To apply for the scholarship, you must be a member of the Marcus PTSA by January 31, 2018. There are two ways to join the Marcus PTSA and memberships are $15.
Navigate to http://www.joinpta.org/ then choose Lewisville ISD and Marcus PTSA. There is a convenience fee to join on line.
We will also have a representative at Marcus in front of the counselor office Friday January 26, 2018 from 7:30 am – 8:15 am and you can fill out an application and pay to join the PTSA. Please bring either a check or exact change.
The scholarship applications are due Wednesday April 4, 2018 at 4:00 pm. The application will be available at https://marcusptsa.org/senior-scholarship/ on February 1, 2018 @ 8:00 am.
What Colleges Want in an Applicant (Everything)
The admissions process is a maddening mishmash of competing objectives, and an attempt to measure the unmeasurable: you. No, it isn’t fair, and likely never will be.
The admissions process is out of whack. Just ask the heartbroken applicant, rejected by her dream school. Ask high school counselors, who complain that colleges don’t reward promising students for their creativity, determination or service to others. Even the gatekeepers at some famous institutions acknowledge, quietly, that the selection system is broken.
Full Story – NY TimesDidn’t get to attend the awesome program last night?
Check out the 5 things every parent needs to know about drug abuse below.
5Things
Explore the new STAAR report card with Texas PTA next week during a one-hour webinar with the Texas Education Agency. We’ll also review the brand new TexasAssessment.com.
When: Thursday, Oct. 19 at noon
The new STAAR Report Card gives parents a more in-depth look at their child’s academic strengths and areas for improvement so they can be an even stronger partner in their child’s learning. Once parents log into the new website, they’ll be able to see the actual test questions from the test, their child’s answers, and the correct answer if they answered incorrectly. The new site also provides information on boosting reading levels, questions to ask their child’s teachers, interactive videos and more.
There are many ways to measure student learning, and STAAR isn’t meant to tell the whole story. When combined with a student’s grades and teacher feedback, parents can use STAAR results to get a complete picture of their child’s progress.
RegisterMHS PTSA Sponsors
Drugs ‘N Alcohol Awareness Program
Tuesday, October 17th, 2017 from 6:30p – 8:00p
MHS Sigler Auditorium
A “must-attend,”event for parents & students!
Hear directly from a local panel of experts
as we work TOGETHER
to keep our kids & our community SAFE!
Keynote Speaker(s):
Let’s be informed and proactive in protecting our children!
Proof of attendance slips will be given for student attendance.
Check with your coach or sponsor for service hour info.
Lewisville ISD Council of PTAs / Exceptional Students
Would you like to learn more about Special Education in LISD? Join us for the Annual LISD Special Education Meet and Greet! Meet Executive Director Dr. Kathy Talbert as well as Directors and Leads.
When: September 26, 2017 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Where: Purnell Support Center, 136 W. Purnell St., Lewisville 75057
Kindly RSVP
Provided through the cooperation of the LISD Council of PTAs Exceptional Students Committee and LISD Special Education
